Mezzo soprano Zheng Cao, who was battling cancer, was honored Tuesday by the San Francisco Opera's Merola Opera Program with the creation of a fund to help either Asian-Pacific Islander or mezzo soprano opera students study with Merola in Feb. 2012. She is show above, center, with her husband, Dr. David Larson, and her longtime friend Amy Tan, author of "The Bonesetter's Daughter." Cao starred in the world premiere of the opera based on Tan's novel.

Frederica von Stade goes to hug Mezzo soprano Zheng Cao on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 in San Francisco after Cao told the audience that throughout her continuing battle with cancer, Flicka would come to the hospital and sing with her to keep her spirits up.

Zheng Cao, (right) a star with the San Francisco Opera has her dress mended by Frederica Von Stade (left) before singing at the opening night of the International Lung Cancer Conference gala at the Fairmont Hotel in 2009.

Photo: David Paul Morris, Special To The Chronicle

Zheng Cao, (right) a star with the San Francisco Opera has her...

Zheng Cao, (right) a star with the San Francisco Opera has her... Photo-4234282.57238 - SFGate

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In 2011, Mezzo soprano Zheng Cao sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" at the concert for Frederica von Stade after telling the audience that throughout her continuing battle with cancer, Flicka would come to the hospital and sing with her to keep her spirits up.

Zheng Cao, a star with the San Francisco Opera (right) shares a laugh with her Oncologist, Dr. Thierry Jahan and Jean Wang before singing at the opening night of the International Lung Cancer Conference gala at the Fairmont Hotel in 2009.

Zheng Cao, a star with the San Francisco Opera sings at the opening night of the International Lung Cancer Conference gala at the Fairmont Hotel in July 2009.

Photo: David Paul Morris, Special To The Chronicle

Zheng Cao, a star with the San Francisco Opera sings at the opening...

Zheng Cao, a star with the San Francisco Opera sings at the opening... Photo-4234287.57238 - SFGate

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Zheng Cao, (right) a star with the San Francisco Opera sings with Josy Jablons, 14 and Lynden Bair on the piano at the opening night of the International Lung Cancer Conference gala at the Fairmont Hotel in 2009.

Jan Buckley, Frederica von Stade and Zheng Cao
San Francisco Conservatory of Music held their annual Fanfare Luncheon honoring members of the Conservatory Society for their commitment and loyalty to the Conservatory in 2009.

Zheng Cao, (left) a star with the San Francisco Opera has her dress mended by Frederica Von Stade (right) before singing at the opening night of the International Lung Cancer Conference gala at the Fairmont Hotel in 2009.

Photo: David Paul Morris, Special To The Chronicle

Zheng Cao, (left) a star with the San Francisco Opera has her dress...

Zheng Cao, (left) a star with the San Francisco Opera has her dress... Photo-4234291.57238 - SFGate

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Precious Auntie, played by Qian Yi, left, and Ruth Young Kamen, played by Zheng Cao, right, at the dress rehearsal of SF Opera's world premier of the opera based on the Amy Tan novel "The Bonesetter's Daughter" in San Francisco in 2008.

LuLing Liu Young, played by Nina Liang, left, Precious Auntie, played by Qian Yi, center, and Ruth Young Kamen, played by Zheng Cao, right, at the dress rehearsal of SF Opera's world premier of the opera based on the Amy Tan novel "The Bonesetter's Daughter" in 2008.

Zheng Cao, (right) a star with the San Francisco Opera sings with Josy
Jablons, 14 and Lynden Bair on the piano at the opening night of the
International Lung Cancer Conference gala at the Fairmont Hotel in 2009.

(Left to right): Zheng Cao, a star with the San Francisco Opera, Bonnie J. Addario and Frederica Von Stade enjoy a conversation at the opening night of the International Lung Cancer Conference gala at the Fairmont Hotel July 29, 2009 in San Francisco.

Photo: David Paul Morris, Special To The Chronicle

(Left to right): Zheng Cao, a star with the San Francisco Opera,...

(Left to right): Zheng Cao, a star with the San Francisco Opera,... Photo-4234306.57238 - SFGate

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With the help of her pianist, Lynden Bair (left) Zheng Cao, a star with the San Francisco Opera, sings at the opening night of the International Lung Cancer Conference gala at the Fairmont Hotel in 2009.

Photo: David Paul Morris, Special To The Chronicle

With the help of her pianist, Lynden Bair (left) Zheng Cao, a star...

With the help of her pianist, Lynden Bair (left) Zheng Cao, a star... Photo-4234308.57238 - SFGate

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Zheng Cao in 2008.
Courtesy of the San Francisco Opera

Photo: Courtesy Of The San Francisco Op

Zheng Cao in 2008.
Courtesy of the San Francisco Opera

Zheng Cao in 2008.
Courtesy of the San Francisco Opera Photo-4234310.57238 - SFGate

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Zheng Cao, at the SF Opera House in 1998.

Photo: John O'hara

Zheng Cao, at the SF Opera House in 1998.

Zheng Cao, at the SF Opera House in 1998. Photo-4234312.57238 - SFGate

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Mezzo soprano Zheng Cao with San Francisco Opera General Director David Gockley at a private party Monday night to offer samples of the new opera "The Bonesetter's Daughter" in 2006.

(Left to right:) Frederica von Stade, mezzo soprano Zheng Cao, and author Amy Tan at the
Song and Dance event in November 2007, celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the San Francisco Performing Arts Library & Museum and its transformation to the Museum of Performance & Design.